Putin threatens to seize European ships over Russian ‘shadow fleet’ cargo

MOSCOW, August 12 - Russian President Vladimir Putin has threatened to seize European ships in response to plans to sell off cargo intercepted from Russian "shadow fleet" vessels. Several European companies have intercepted ships carrying Russian oil, violating sanctions imposed by Europe to target the crucial revenue source. New sanctions introduced last month allow EU members to sell the seized oil or any other cargo.

Moscow has strongly objected to these moves, with Putin labeling them as "piracy and banditry." At a naval drill in Russia's Far East, Putin stated that Russia will respond accordingly, anywhere it deems necessary. Swedish court documents disclosed to AFP earlier this month revealed that Stockholm intends to hand over a Russian ship seized for transporting grain from occupied Ukraine to Kyiv.

The Russian leader was aboard the cruiser Varyag near Sakhalin Island, where Russia's navy was conducting drills. The exercises occur a week before joint US-South Korean war games simulating a possible North Korean invasion. Regional tensions are high due to accusations from Kyiv and Seoul that Pyongyang and Moscow are deepening their military cooperation.